Measures 1 to 16

Below is the harmonic analysis of the first phrase. A more detailed explanation of measures 5 to 8 can be found below:

We will start with the harmonic progression shown in the first system of the following image. By making some chord substitutions, we will arrive at Chopin's chords:

1. Basic harmonic progression.
2. The dominant chords in the first part of each bar are replaced with diminished sevenths.
3. The B diminished seventh chord (vii of C) is substituted with an augmented sixth chord that resolves to the V degree of F (C). This chord can also be explained using tritone substitution. G7 is the dominant chord of C; Db7 is its tritone substitute.

The bass note of the augmented sixth chord (B) would typically be positioned as an inner or top voice. The following image shows the traditional disposition (a) and the disposition used by Chopin (b):

The first four measures (9–12) of the second phrase are identical to the first four measures of the first phrase. Some comments on the other measures follow.

Measures	Comments
13 - 14	The progression in measure 13 is repeated one tone lower in measure 14.
15	The G dominant chord in bar 14 leads to C minor. An augmented sixth chord in the key of C minor is written as an Ab dominant chord, which prepares the next section in D-flat major.

© 2020 José Rodríguez Alvira. Published by teoria.com